RSV (Beyfortus) Product FAQs

What is it: Beyfortus®is a monoclonal antibody against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) that is indicated to avoid serious RSV infections in all infants. RSV is the #1 cause of infant hospitalization and peaks in late fall thru spring. This year’s RSV season begins 10/1/2023. Beyfortus comes in 2 dose sizes and is entirely based on weight to determine which sized dose is recommended. 

How is it given? It is a single injection given in the leg. It is a long-acting, passive immunity product. It offers protection immediately and should last for 6 months (ie the duration of the RSV season).

(Updated 10/30/23 CDC guidance based on shortage) Who is it recommended for? Beyfortus® is recommended by FDA, CDC, and ACIP for the most vulnerable infants under 6 months of age entering their first RSV season. It is advised to give as close to birth as possible for infants born during the RSV season. For infants of Sapphire, we have updated our processes and re-prioritized our current waitlist into 3 levels of priority that we have reviewed and found to be most ethical and fair give our limited supply of both dose sizes:

• Priority level 1: all babies through 2 month checkup. We strongly encourage you to discuss with your Pediatrician at the newborn and 2 week checkups, and get Beyfortus during these visit (if supply permits). This protects them when they need it most and ensures they'll be under 5kg weight for "little" dose size. If a baby is over 2 months and weighs over 5kg, they may be eligible to receive a "big" sized dose, but we will add them to the waitlist as this will be taking away a "big" dose from a priority level 2 infant. 
• Priority level 2: babies under 8 months of age, weighing over 5 kg with high risk conditions* outlined below that place them at a higher risk for severe RSV disease. This includes American Indian and Alaska Native infants aged <8 months. Per the CDC- Infants aged 2< months to <8 months with these *high risk conditions include: premature birth at <29 weeks’ gestation, chronic lung disease of prematurity, hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease, severe immunocompromise, severe cystic fibrosis (either manifestations of severe lung disease or weight-for-length less than 10th percentile), oxygen dependent, neuromuscular disease or congenital pulmonary abnormalities that impair the ability to clear secretions.
• Priority level 3: healthy babies (no high risk conditions) weighing over 5 kg
• Please take a moment to review the CDC Health Alert from 10/23/23: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00499.asp

(Update as of 10/30/2023) What if I am already on the waitlist at Sapphire?  Beyfortus® national shortage is very disappointing and it broke our hearts to have to cancel more than 30 infants due to the supply shortage. At this time, we are continuing to grow the waitlist as demand for Beyfortus continues. We are hopeful there may be more doses available in the early RSV season months of January and February 2024. We must follow our new priority levels and reserve doses for our  most vulnerable. You should have received a confirmation if you have been placed on our waitlist. Please send Sapphire a MyChart portal message to ensure your child is on the waitlist if you are not sure. If you wish to remove your child from the waitlist based on this updated priority level review, we appreciate your understanding and ask for a MyChart message to be sent to confirm removal from waitlist. 

Are there side effects? Ascreates passive immunity and is not an active vaccine, there are no expected side effects, not even fever. It has been tested and can be given with any other childhood vaccine.  (read more here: www.Beyfortus.com)

We could not be happier this is available and are pleased to be able to provide early access!! 

BUT…

Commercial insurance has provided limited information on coverage for Beyfortus®. (As of 10/30/2023)

• As of 10/12, we will courtesy bill your child's insurance. We require a credit card on file to be stored in case your insurance denies coverage. Sapphire's cost per dose is $550/dose. In lieu of collecting payment in full at time of service, we will give your child's insurance 90 days to respond to the claim and reimburse Sapphire's cost. You will be contacted before your credit card is charged for our cost of Beyfortus at $550 per dose. 
• You may also elect to wait until your insurance 100% determines coverage. Sapphire has no control over the timeline.

Next steps for you: 

• Please message us via MyChart if you are interested in getting on the waitlist, have questions about the priority  for scheduling and review of medical eligibility for Beyfortus®. 
• Speak with one of Sapphire's Pediatricians about your interest or questions.